इत्थं निशम्य नृपतेर्वचनं तदानीं सर्वेऽपि ते षडथ तं मुनिमुख्यमाशु ११.
Thus, hearing the king's words, all six of them at once approached that foremost sage.
अथ ते ददृशुः पार्थ संयमस्थं महामुनिम् १२.
Then, O Partha, they saw the great sage absorbed in self-restraint.
जटास्त्रिषवणस्नानकपिलाः शिरसा तदा १२.
At that time, his matted locks were tawny from bathing thrice daily.
सव्यहस्ते तृणौघं च च्छायार्थे विप्रसत्तमम् १२.
In his left hand, he held a bundle of grass for shade, that best of Brahmins.
अहिंसयन्दुरुक्ताद्यैः प्राणिनो भूमिचारिणः १२.
He did no harm to living beings that move upon the earth, by harsh words or otherwise.
बकभूपद्विजोलूकगृध्रकूर्मा विलोक्य च १२.
And he beheld cranes, earth-dwelling birds, twice-born birds, owls, vultures, and turtles.
स्वागतासनसत्कारेणामुना तेऽति सत्कृताः १२.
By his welcome, seat, and hospitality, you have been greatly honored.
इन्द्रद्युम्नोऽयमवनीपतिः सत्रिजनाग्रणीः १२.
This is Indradyumna, the king of the earth, foremost among those with their wives and followers.
मार्कंडेयादिभिः प्राप्य कीर्त्युद्धारंच सत्तम १२.
Having attained fame and deliverance through Markandeya and others, O excellent one,
भवतानुगृहीतोऽयमिहेच्छति महोदयम् त्वत्सकाशमिहानीतो ब्रूहि साध्वस्य वांछितम्॥ १२.
He has been favored by you and now desires great prosperity; brought here to your presence, speak what is desired by the virtuous.
परोपकरणं नाम साधूनां व्रतमाहितम् १२.
The vow of the virtuous is indeed to act for the benefit of others.
अप्रणोद्येषु पापेषु साधु प्रोक्तमसंशयम् १२.
In sins that are not to be rejected, the virtuous are declared without doubt.
अप्रमत्तः प्रणोद्येषु मुनिरेष प्रयच्छति १२.
This sage, attentive in matters not to be rejected, bestows (his favor).
कूर्म युक्तमिदं सर्वं त्वयाभिहितमद्य नः १२.
Kurma, all that you have spoken to us today is appropriate.
ब्रूहि राजन्सुविश्रब्धं सन्देहं हृदयस्थितम् १२.
O king, speak without hesitation the doubt that rests in your heart.
भगवन्प्रथमः प्रश्रस्तावदेव ममोच्यताम् १२.
O Lord, let the first question be stated by me now.
कुटीमात्रोऽपि यच्छाया तृणैः शिरसि पाणिगैः॥ १२.
Even the shade of a mere hut, with grass placed on the head by the hands—
मर्तव्यमस्त्यवश्यं च काय एष पतिष्यति १२.
Death is certain; this body will surely fall.
यस्य मृत्युर्भवेन्मित्रं पीतं वाऽमृतमुत्तमम् १२.
For one whose friend is death, or who has drunk the highest nectar—
इदं युगसहस्रेषु भविष्यमभविद्दिनम् १२.
This day has come to pass after thousands of ages.
कारणानुगतं कार्यमिदं शुक्रादभूद्वपुः १२.
This act, following its cause, has arisen; the body came from Shukra.
तदस्यापि कृते पापं शत्रुषड्वर्गनिर्जिताः १२.
Even for his sake, sin is committed by those conquered by the sixfold host of enemies.
तद्ब्रह्मण इहोत्पन्नः सिकताद्वयसम्भवः १२.
Thus, born here from Brahma, originating from the union of sand and wind,
तथापि वैष्णवी माया मोहयत्यविवेकिनम् १२.
Still, the Vaishnava illusion deludes the undiscerning.
दन्ताश्चलाश्चला लक्ष्मीर्यौवनं जीवितं नृप १२.
Teeth are unstable, fortune is unstable, youth is unstable, and life is unstable, O king.
इति विज्ञाय संसारसारं च चलाचलम् १२.
Thus, understanding the essence of worldly existence as both stable and unstable,
चिरायुर्भगवानेव श्रूयते भुवनत्रये १२.
Only the Lord is said to have long life in the three worlds.
प्रतिकल्पं मच्छरीरादेकरोमपरिक्षयः १२.
With each cosmic cycle, from my body, a single hair is lost.
पश्य जानुप्रदेशं मे द्व्यंगुलं रोमवर्जितम् १२.
Look at my knee region, two fingers wide, devoid of hair.
इत्थं निशम्य तद्वाक्यं स प्रहस्यातिविस्मितः १२.
Hearing those words, he smiled, greatly astonished.